By APRIL MIDDLETON

Salina Journal

As he has went door-to-door talking to voters about the issues, Christopher Renner, Democratic candidate for the State Board of Education in District 6, said he's gotten some "good affirmative feedback from some people."

"I have also gotten hate mail, really nasty hateful stuff," Renner said. "Some of these people think I'm a one-issue candidate. That's unfortunate and that's just not the case. It's about much more than the science standards."

Renner, Manhattan, met Sunday afternoon with voters at Moka's, 109 N. Santa Fe. He then planned to attend the Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Oakdale Park.

Renner has worked in education as a teacher, administrator and trainer for 27 years. He works as a private consultant and property manager and hosts the weekly public affairs radio program "Community Bridge."

Renner is running against incumbent Kathy Martin, R-Clay Center

The state school board's job of helping to set curriculum for Kansas public schools, including science standards, is important, Renner said.

Renner supports the current standards.

"I do not find Intelligent Design, nor young-earth creationism, to be scientifically credible," he said.

Companies that have the impression that the state doesn't "have real science standards" might choose not to open a new branch or build a new business in the state, he said.

"Our public education system is the number one economic development tool we have in the state," Renner said.

Renner said two of the biggest challenges facing education in the state are teacher salaries and state funding.

Kansas, he said, ranks 37th in the nation when it comes to pay and spends $500 less per child than the national state average.

Renner said he supports a statewide program that would forgive young teachers' loans if they sign a contract agreeing to teach, possibly in rural areas, for five years.

Renner will be in Salina again at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Salina Public Library, 301 W. Elm.

nReporter April Middleton can be reached at 822-1409 or by e-mail at amiddle ton@salina.com.

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